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Environmental Health Division

Fish Consumption Guidance

Put Fish on Your Plate!

Fish are a great choice for serving up lean protein with plenty of vitamins and minerals. Fish also are a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids - a good kind of fat!

The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are called EPA and DHA. Our bodies cannot make EPA and DHA. Eating fish is the main way to get these important fatty acids that you do not get from other foods. (Supplements may not be as beneficial.) Here is the best part:

DHA is a building block of the brain and eyes.

Pregnant women and breastfeeding moms can eat fish to give DHA to their babies.

Eating fish can lower the risk of heart disease.

The benefits of eating fish outweigh the risks when eating fish low in mercury and other contaminants.

Young children (under 15 years old) and fetuses are more sensitive to mercury. Too much mercury can cause lasting problems with understanding and learning. But studies show children benefit developmentally when moms eat fish low in mercury during pregnancy.

What to do?

Eat fish!

Follow the guidance linked below to prevent mercury and other contaminants from building up in your body.

Contaminants take time to leave the body, so spread out your fish meals over time.

For recipes and other information about eating fish, go to ChooseYourFish.

Site-Specific Meal Advice:
Consumption guidelines for lakes and rivers where fish have
been tested for contaminants. Guidelines are also
searchable by lake on the Department of Natural Resources LakeFinder website.